Terms and Conditions

Imagine Cruising arranges and provides cruise holidays and excursions by coach, air and sea to customers, upon the following terms and conditions.

DEFINITIONS

These definitions apply unless the context of the Agreement requires a different interpretation:

1.1."Booking" means any placing of a request by the Client, in person, in writing or by telephone, for the Client or someone else to be included in a Cruise Holiday, either direct to Imagine Cruising or through any authorised agent, together with full, cleared deposit payment for the Cruise Holiday, as advertised;

1.2."Confirmation" means the paperwork issued by Imagine Cruising detailing the cruise holiday that has been purchased;

1.3.“Client” means the person who applies (directly or indirectly) to Imagine Cruising for a Cruise Holiday. This includes, but is not limited to, a person who applies for his/her own use or benefit or that of any other person and whether applying as principal, agent or sub-Contractor. The Client may include any person over the age of 18 years or any minor accompanied by such person;

1.4."Cruise holiday" includes flights, hotels, cruise, excursions and tours advertised from time to time, with itinerary and price, to be arranged by Imagine Cruising, as described in any of its advertising;

1.5.“Imagine Cruising” means Imagine Cruising (Pty) Ltd of Oxford House, 17 Park Lane, Grand Central Precinct, Century Way, Century City, Cape Town, 7441, and/or anyone acting for or on behalf of Imagine Cruising provided that such person has been duly authorised and is acting within the scope of duty;

1.6."Ticket" includes an electronically generated ticket;

1.7“Traveller” means any person (whether or not such person is the Client) who utilises or obtains any benefit from the services supplied by Imagine Cruising; and

1.8."Writing" includes electronic writing.

BOOKING

2.1. Authority

2.1.1. Whether the Client books alone or as a group, Imagine Cruising will only deal with the lead booking name in all subsequent correspondence, including changes, amendments and cancellations.

2.1.2. The Client must be at least 18 years old at the time of booking and possess the legal capacity and authority to book as the lead name and travel on holidays with Imagine Cruising and take up the offers advertised by Imagine Cruising if they are still available.

2.1.3. The Client is deemed to have read and accepted these Terms and Conditions and to have the authority to do so on behalf of the person in whose name the Booking is requested and/or provided and/or the person to whom the services are rendered.

2.1.4. Any person who is under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult on his/her or her journey.

2.2. Travellers details and documents

2.2.1. The Client is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the personal details or any other information supplied in respect of the Travellers and for passing on any information regarding the booking or any changes made in relation thereto, to all Travellers, including but not limited to, information on schedule changes or copies of booking confirmations.

2.2.2. Other documents that may be required for the Client’s journey are the Client’s identity document, an international driver's license, inoculation certificates and hotel, car and excursion/tour vouchers. The Client is to please ensure that he/she checks all of these documents at the time of issue where applicable, prior to the Client’s departure.

2.2.3. The Client is responsible for obtaining any necessary visas and travel permits for all countries that the Client will be travelling to or transiting through, and for informing him/herself as to which countries/areas within countries require visas and/or special permits. Visa and entry requirements may vary depending on the Client's nationality, the length of stay, and the purpose of the visit, among other factors. Visa information and visas can be obtained by contacting the Consulate or Embassy of the countries involved or from a visa service company.

2.2.4. It is the Client’s duty to ensure that all passports and visas are current, valid, obtained on time and that the Client’s passport will be valid for 6 (six) months to 1 (one) year after the Client’s return to his/her home country and contains sufficient blank pages (for visa issuance) and that any vaccinations, inoculations, prophylactic (e.g. for malaria) and the like, where required, have been obtained.

2.2.5. It is the Client’s duty to ensure that he/she has complied with the Immigration Regulations of 2014:

2.2.5.1. The Department of Home Affairs has imposed a new regulation for those travelling with a child (person under the age of 18). This new regulation requires that, in addition to his/her passport, a child’s unabridged birth certificate is required in all international travel to and from South Africa. Where a child is not accompanied by both parents, the parent travelling with the child needs to present the child’s passport, unabridged birth certificate and affidavit from the absent parent consenting to the travel. Where a person is travelling with a child who is not his or her biological child, he or she must produce a copy of the unabridged birth certificate of the child, an affidavit from the parents or legal guardian of the child confirming that he or she has permission to travel with the child, copies of the identity documents or passports of the parents or legal guardian of the child and the contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the child.

2.2.5.2. Passengers travelling to South Africa must be in possession of a passport with two unused pages required for endorsements.

2.2.5.3. Any person who overstays their visa can be declared undesirable for up to 5 (five) years. If the Client needs a visa, he/she must have a valid visa in his/her passport, otherwise there is a risk that he/she will not be allowed back into South Africa for a period of between 1 (one) and 5 (five) years.

2.2.6. It is specifically noted that Imagine Holidays cannot be held responsible for: Denial of the Client’s visa application for any reason; Delay of issuance of the Client’s visa by the relevant consulate or High Commission; Loss of the Client’s passport(s) by the consular offices and/or courier; Change in visa costs and requirements; Financial losses incurred as a result of a visa application being denied; Passport application delays; incorrect issuance of passport or visa; the Client not carrying the unabridged birth certificates of the children with whom he/she is travelling and/or an affidavit consenting to the children travelling internationally and/or copies of identity documents or passports of the legal guardian of the children (if appropriate) and the Client overstaying his/her visa and being declared an undesirable person.

2.2.7. It is the Client’s responsibility to ensure that the Booking and the Cruise Holiday are suitable for his/her requirements and capacity (including physical and medical state and any disability from which he/she may suffer) in every respect.

2.3. Payment

2.3.1. The Client must pay either a deposit (to be advised at the point of booking) or the full balance of the total advertised price. Once this payment is received and Imagine Cruising’s Legal Statement has been read to the Client, the Booking is complete and a contract is then made for the provision of the Cruise Holiday. Imagine Cruising will confirm the Booking in writing or email. The Client must then pay the balance of the advertised Cruise Holiday price no later than 15 (fifteen) weeks prior to departure.

2.3.2. All prices advertised by Imagine Cruising are accurate as at the date published, but Imagine Cruising reserves the right to change any of those prices from time to time.

2.3.3. All prices are quoted in South African Rand (“Rand”) and are calculated by using an exchange rate determined by Imagine Cruising based on prevailing exchange rates available from commercial banks.

2.3.4. Final payment for any Booking must be made no later than 15 (fifteen) weeks prior to departure. Final payment is based upon on the quoted and confirmed price, less any deposit paid.

2.3.5. If the final payment is not received on time, the travel documents can be delayed and may necessitate the use of a courier service, which will be for the Client's account. Alternatively, Imagine Cruising may cancel the booking. Late payment may also result in cancellation of the reservation by the Third Party Service Providers.

2.3.6. Imagine Cruising’s booking fee is R500 (five hundred Rand).

2.4. Confirmation Email and VISA documents/Tickets

2.4.1.1. Within 48 (forty eight) hours of the Booking, the Client will be sent a Confirmation Invoice by email.

2.4.1.2. As soon as the Client has paid a deposit or the full balance of the total advertised price of the Cruise Holiday in terms of paragraph 2.3.1, Imagine Cruising will book the Cruise Holiday.

2.4.1.3. Within 7 (seven) to 10 (ten) days of receipt of the deposit/full balance by Imagine Cruising, the Client will be sent confirmation of the Booking in writing or by email.

2.4.1.4. As soon as the Client has paid the full balance of the total price of the Cruise Holiday, Imagine Cruising will send the VISA documents to the Client within 5 - 7 working days. Any other outstanding documents will be sent to the Client by no later than 30 (thirty) days before the date on which the Cruise Holiday is scheduled to begin.

2.5. Package Holidays

Where the Cruise Holiday constitutes a Package Holiday, the following provisions in any of Imagine Cruising’s advertising shall constitute part of the Booking terms and conditions:

2.5.1. the destinations and, where more than one, the time to be spent at each;

2.5.2. the means, characteristics and categories of transport with dates and times and points of departure and return; any intermediate stops and connections and where to go or stay to effect them;

2.5.3. where accommodation is included, the location, degree of comfort and main features;

2.5.4. what, if any, meals are included in the Cruise Holiday;

2.5.5. whether there is a minimum number of Clients before the Cruise Holiday is cancelled and the timetable for any such cancellation;

2.5.6. the itinerary;

2.5.7. the excursions and tours included in the price and any surcharges that might arise and their method of calculation;

2.5.8. the name of the organiser of the excursions and tours and any insurer, together with a local representative, whether associated with Imagine Cruising or not;

2.5.9. the total price for the package holiday and any charges, taxes, dues not included;

2.5.10. the payment schedule and accepted methods of payment;

2.5.11. the need to agree any special requirements with Imagine Cruising; and

2.5.12. the ways and means and timetable for making a complaint.

2.6. The Client’s contract is with Imagine Cruising.

2.7. Insurance

2.7.1. Imagine Cruising strongly recommends that travel insurance be purchased for the duration of the Client’s journey. Insurance can only be purchased prior to departure. Imagine Cruising urges the Client to take out additional insurance cover over and above the phase one insurance offered free as standard for international travel by the various credit card companies. The Client must check the specific details of the complimentary cover with his/her respective credit card company directly.

2.7.2. Imagine Cruising will not be responsible if the Client fails to take adequate insurance cover. Queries must be addressed to the principal insurer, as Imagine Cruising shall not in any way be held responsible for any and/or all information advanced by its staff in this regard.

2.7.3. Should the insurers dispute their liability for any reason, the Client will have recourse against the insurers only and Imagine Cruising will not be under any responsibility or liability whatsoever in relation thereto.

2.8. Special Requests

Any special requests must be addressed to Imagine Cruising in writing well before the departure date. Whilst Imagine Cruising will use its best endeavours to accommodate such requests, it does not guarantee that it will be in a position to meet all demands and shall not incur any liability to the Client in the event it is unable to do so.

2.9. Service Charges

In certain circumstances we apply a service charge for the services we provide.

SERVICE

CHARGE

Booking Fee

R500.00 per person

Amendment

Supplier charge + R320 per person

Late balance payment

R950

Tickets despatched by courier

Couriers charge + R125

Tickets despatched by insured delivery

Postage charge + R125

CANCELLATION AND AMENDMENTS

3.1. Cancellations by Client

3.1.1. Any cancellation by the Client of a Booking must be made in writing to Imagine Cruising and will be effective from the date received by Imagine Cruising.

3.1.2. Communications must arrive no later than 3pm, Monday-Friday, to allow time to process the cancellation with Imagine Cruising’s suppliers. Any cancellation requests received after this time or on a Saturday or Sunday will be deemed to have been received on the next working day.

3.1.3. Subject to the following, provided that any cancellation is made in accordance with paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2, the balance of any Booking payment still held by Imagine Cruising will be refunded to the Client, once the applicable cancellation charges have been applied. Unlike most other cruise agents, Imagine Cruising do not charge any administrative fee for cancellation of a Booking.

Period before departure when cancellation notice received

% of total booking*

105 days or more

Loss of Deposit

104-57 days

50%

56-42 days

75%

41-22 days

80%

21-15 days

90%

14 days or less

100%

3.4.4. Where the standard deposit is increased to secure specific facilities including all flights, which are non-refundable in whole or part, then the scale of cancellation charges will be based on the % of the cost of all other arrangements, or loss of deposit, as applicable, and the non-refundable charges will be added to that cancellation charge to give the total charge.

3.4.5. Imagine Cruising’s cancellation charges are a percentage of the total holiday cost, not including any flight costs or insurance premiums, which are non-refundable. These charges are based on how many days before departure the Client’s cancellation notice is received and not the date on which the correspondence was sent.

3.4.6. Insurance premiums and amendment charges are not refundable in the event of the person(s) to whom they apply cancelling.

3.4.7. No refunds will be made in relation to the return part or any other unused part of a ticket.

3.2. Cancellations by Imagine Cruising

3.2.1. If Imagine Cruising has to cancel the Client’s holiday before the date of departure, the Client will have the choice of:

3.2.1.1. taking an alternative holiday (and where this is of a different price the Client or Imagine Cruising will refund the difference in price as appropriate); OR

3.2.1.2. accepting the full refund of all monies paid.

3.2.2. In addition and in appropriate cases, and where such cancellation is not due to under booking (where the minimum number of bookings required to run a Cruise Holiday is not met) or force majeure, Imagine Cruising will, in its sole discretion, pay the Client compensation commensurate with his/her inconvenience.

3.3. Amendments by the Client

3.3.1. The Client may give written notice before the start of the booked or confirmed Cruise Holiday, to Imagine Cruising to change the Cruise Holiday.

3.3.2. Where an originally booked Cruise Holiday is changed in accordance with paragraph 3.2.1, any discount applied to the price of the original Cruise Holiday will no longer apply to the cost of any replacement Cruise Holiday.

3.3.3. Only one change of Cruise Holiday is permitted and any change cannot be to a cruise of a lesser cost than the original Cruise Holiday. If the Client wishes to change his/her Cruise Holiday a second time this will treated as a cancellation and re-booking.

3.4. Amendments by Imagine Cruising

3.4.1. If Imagine Cruising has to alter the Client’s itinerary, travel or holiday arrangements, any change will be either major or minor. Although it is unlikely that Imagine Cruising will have to make any changes to the travel arrangements, the arrangements are planned many months in advance and as a result it may have to make changes and reserves the right to do so.

3.4.2. Where a change is a minor change, Imagine Cruising will, if practical, advise the Client before departure, but Imagine Cruising is not obliged to do so or to pay the Client compensation. Minor change examples made before departure are but not limited to :

A change of outward departure time or overall length of your arrangements of twelve hours or less.

A change of accommodation to another of the same standard or classification.

3.4.3. When a change is a major change Imagine Cruising will advise the Client as soon as is reasonably possible. Major change examples made before departure are but not limited to:

A change of accommodation resort for the whole or a significant part of your time away.

A change of accommodation to that of a lower standard or classification for the whole or a significant part of your time away.

A change of outward departure time or overall length of your arrangements of twelve hours or more.

A significant change to your itinerary, missing out one or more destination entirely.

Where we or our supplier can no longer fulfil any special requirements that we have accepted and confirmed on our confirmation invoice and this will have a significant impact on your arrangements.

Where we increase the price of your arrangements by more than 8% of the price of your arrangements (excluding any insurance premiums, amendment charges and/or additional services).

The Client will then have the choice of:

3.4.3.1. accepting the change, taking an alternative holiday (and where this is of a different price, either the Client or Imagine Cruising will refund the difference in price as appropriate); OR

3.4.3.2. withdrawing from the contract and accepting a full refund of all monies paid.

3.4.4. In addition, in appropriate cases, Imagine Cruising will, in its sole discretion, pay compensation commensurate with the inconvenience suffered (on the assumption that the full balance has been paid).

3.4.5. In the unlikely event that Imagine Cruising becomes unable to provide a significant proportion of the trip after departure, Imagine Cruising will make alternative arrangements for the Client to continue the trip at no extra charge, or, if this is impossible, or the Client does not accept these alternative arrangements for a good reason, Imagine Cruising will provide transport back to the Client’s point of departure.

3.4.6. In addition and if appropriate, Imagine Cruising will, in its sole discretion, pay the Client compensation of an amount which is reasonable taking into account all the circumstances. Compensation will not be considered appropriate, for example, in cases where a major change has to be made as a result of force majeure.

THE CLIENT’S OBLIGATIONS

4.1. Further to paragraph 2.2.7, the Client must ensure that any medical or other attendance that he/she requires is provided by him/her. NOTE: It is a requirement from some cruise/flight suppliers that the Client is physically fit to travel and that he/she will obey the rules and regulations of the ship/airplane and orders and instructions from the ship/plane’s officers and medical staff. Cruise Liners and Airlines reserve their rights to require guests to disembark or to refuse to board a guest who, in the judgement of the ship’s Master or Medical Officer, is unfit to travel or may require care that is beyond the care which the ship is able to give. Pregnant women will be allowed to board Cruise Liners provided that they do not enter their twenty-fourth (24th) week of pregnancy by the final day of the Cruise Holiday. Pregnant women who have entered their 28th (twenty-eighth) week of pregnancy will not be allowed to board any flight.

4.2. The Client agrees that he/she may be photographed in the course of the Cruise Holiday for the purpose of Imagine Cruising’s future publicity and that any written comments made about the Cruise Holiday or Imagine Cruising by the Client may be published by Imagine Cruising.

4.3. The Client agrees to abide by any reasonable directions (especially any given on account of health and safety), given by Imagine Cruising’s representatives and/or the Airlines and/or the staff of the Cruise Liners in the course of the Cruise Holiday.

4.4. The Client agrees to behave in a reasonable and responsible manner and, in particular that the Client will do nothing which might endanger the health and safety of any person involved in the Cruise Holiday or which might result in personal injury to any person or loss of or damage to property belonging to Imagine Cruising, its representatives or other Clients.

4.5. As set out in paragraph 2.2, the Client acknowledges that it is his/her responsibility to carry any necessary valid passport or visa, necessary for the Cruise Holiday.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Subject to the provisions of Section 61 of the Consumer Protection Act 61 of 2008, Imagine Cruising, its employees, agents, service providers and related company or representative shall not be responsible for, and shall be exempt from all liability in respect of loss (financial or otherwise), damage, accident, injury, illness, harm, trauma, death, delay or inconvenience to or additional expense incurred by the Client (which shall be deemed to include the heirs, executors, administrators or assigns by the Client whether on the Cruise Holiday or not), to or of their luggage, or other property, howsoever caused where such loss, damage, accident, injury, illness, harm, trauma, death, delay or inconvenience to or additional expense incurred is not due to the act, omission, negligence or recklessness of Imagine Cruising, its employees, agents or service providers. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time the passengers are not aboard their aircraft.